Breaking bread

My journeys take me on the most beautiful path. I recently had the opportunity to care for a woman in her home for the last few months of her life. This experience is very similar to a death doula without all the formal training.

I was able to bond with her in her most vulnerable moments, give her dignity, respect and amazement as she went over the highest and lowest parts of her life. I was able to gain so much insight into so many different topics, build a bond that became incredibly strong in such a short time.

In addition to bonding with her, I was able to bond with her family. Assisting people in the dying process is a difficult, difficult experience. A incredibly rewarding experience - but one that takes a lot out of me.

I spent 12 hours every day with her, 7pm to 7am. I was there giving her husband support, giving him a break so he could leave the house for groceries - so he could nap by himself knowing the love of his life was taken care of.

Durning her last moments I was in the room, holding her hand while her family was reminiscing. They were having a conversation about road trip right at her bedside. The last things she heard before slipping away into whatever is beyond this life — is her family laughing, her family enjoying their time right beside her. She got to exit this current reality with the loving, joyous sounds of her family occurring right around her, all while I was holding her hand - letting her know everything was ok.

These moments will be forever etched in my head. The bonds I’ve made with their family, the memories that will continue to form.

I got the opportunity to visit her husband this past week, it was the first time I walked in through the front door where my first words weren’t “ How is she doing today?'“ a series of new experiences. This is the beginning on a transition period that I have planted myself firmly inside of.

We all know that I don’t track time and some people are more accepting of that than other people. While people track moments in between moments, I’m grateful that this is going to be a point in my life that sticks out a little more than others.

Grateful that I was able to provide the peace of mind in a terribly difficult time.

Life moves in such beautiful ways. Spread Love -xo Chris